Note: Lama with one “L” refers to both llamas and alpacas. The information on this page applies to both.

Llama and alpaca halters should fit with the noseband fairly close to the eye, as shown in Figure #1. This keeps the pressure of the noseband on bone and not the more fragile and sensitive cartilage of the nose. The chin strap and throatlatch can be adjusted individually on all of our Three-Way Adjustable llama and alpaca halters.

Make sure that there is enough room to slide two or three fingers between the chinstrap/throatlatch and the lama’s jaw. This provides enough space for the lama to open its mouth or chew without being pinched by the halter.

We don't recommend leaving halters on lamas for long periods; but if you must leave a halter on for several days while traveling or on a pack trip, the halter can be slightly looser. However, make sure that the noseband is in the right place. This placement depends primarily on the length of the crown piece.

When using the Quick Clip, the opening should be to the inside (toward the lama). This will prevent the lama from hooking itself to a wire fence, etc., if it rubs its face.

See also: Halter Fit & Function

Adjusting the Length of the Crown Piece

On the #100 Zip-adjust Poly Llama Halter, this is very simple, as the slider buckle can be moved easily, even while the halter is on the llama. To make the halter larger, pull the slider buckle and attached strap closer to the left-hand cheek ring. To raise the noseband closer to the eye, hold the underside of the strap and pull the slider buckle towards the right‑side cheek ring.  The end of the strap must always be latched back through the slider to hold securely.

All our other llama halters (trail, nylon, and weanling) and all alpaca halters have tongue buckles, so it may be necessary to move the buckle to make major adjustments in the size. To do this, the halter must be off the lama, but first estimate how much longer or shorter the crown piece needs to be.

First, unbuckle the crown piece, without removing the end of the strap from the cheek ring or quick clip. It will look something like Figure #2.

Next, without removing the buckle from the crown piece strap, push a loop of strap up through the buckle, as shown below in figure #3.

          

In this position, the buckle can be moved easily. If the halter was too snug, move the buckle towards the loose end of the strap. If the halter was too loose, move the buckle towards the right ­hand cheek ring. When you think that the buckle is in about the right place, make sure that the tongue of the buckle is through a hole in the strap, and pull the left end of the strap firmly until it looks like Figure #2 above. Now the crown piece can be buckled back through the rectangular slot on the clip or through the cheek ring, as desired. When the buckle is properly placed, there is never an excess, floppy end of strap to dangle and get in the way. When adjusted correctly, the halter fits your llama or alpaca properly, looks tidy, and gives you the best control.

Using the Halter Without the Quick Clip

          

The Quick Clip is the weakest part of the halter, and could break during a severe struggle. For this reason, we prefer to use the halter without the clip when packing, in parades, etc. To use the halter without the clip, simply unbuckle the crown piece, pull the end of the strap out of the rectangular slot on the clip, remove the clip, thread the end of the strap directly through the cheek ring, and re‑buckle. If the halter is fitted very snugly, you may need to adjust the crown piece to compensate for the absence of the clip. However, this is seldom necessary.